Star West Coast midfielder Scott Selwood will make his long-awaited playing return this weekend, but coach Adam Simpson is yet to decide whether it should be via the AFL or the WAFL.
Selwood's season appeared over after he was forced to undergo ankle surgery in June.
But with West Coast back in the finals race, Selwood has been training the house down in recent weeks in a bid to bolster the Eagles' injury-hit list.
Ruckman Nic Naitanui is set to come straight back into the side for Sunday's must-win clash with Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, while Elliot Yeo (hand) and Xavier Ellis (shoulder) are others in contention.
Selwood would normally be an automatic inclusion, but the 24-year-old's lack of game time presents a risk for West Coast in a match they must win in order to stay in the finals hunt.
Simpson said he would wait until later in the week before making a final call on where Selwood plays.
"The way he's been training ... he's ready to play," Simpson told Perth radio station 6PR.
"It's about how he recovers from training that decides whether he plays at East Perth or the seniors."
Defender Beau Waters is also back in the thick of training after recovering from his latest shoulder reconstruction, but Simpson said the 27-year-old definitely wouldn't return this year.
Waters hasn't played since round 15 last year, and fullback Eric Mackenzie said the 2006 premiership star would be like a new recruit in 2015.
"He'll be a very handy addition," Mackenzie said.
"His attack on the ball and the player is second to none.
"He flies and takes marks - he's a bit like Jeremy McGovern in that regard.
"And also his leadership (is crucial)."
Tagger Mark Hutchings has been ruled out for the Gold Coast clash after injuring his hamstring in last week's 66-point win over Melbourne.
West Coast need Hawthorn to beat Collingwood and Sydney to beat Richmond to have any chance of landing a finals berth.
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